LAYERS OF THE SKIN

The integumentary system consists of the largest organ in the body,

which is the skin. This extraordinary organ system protects the
internal structures of the body from damage, prevents dehydration,
stores fat, and produces vitamins andhormones. It also helps to
maintain homeostasis within the body by assisting in the regulation
of body temperature and water balance. The integumentary system
is the body's first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, and
other pathogens. It also helps to provide protection from harmful
ultraviolet radiation. The skin is a sensory organ in that it has
receptors for detecting heat and cold, touch, pressure, and pain.
Components of the skin include hair, nails, sweat glands, oil
glands,blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and muscles.
Concerning integumentary system anatomy, the skin is composed of
a layer of epithelial tissue (epidermis) that is supported by a layer
of connective tissue (dermis) and an underlying subcutaneous layer
(hypodermis or subcutis).
 SKIN LAYERS OVERVIEW
• Epidermis - outermost layer of the skin
composed of squamous cells. This layer is
characterized into two distinct types: thick
skin and thin skin.
• Dermis - thickest layer of skin that lies
beneath and supports the epidermis.
• Hypodermis (Subcutis) - innermost layer of
the skin that helps to insulate the body and
cushion internal organs.
Epidermis Skin Layer
• The outermost layer of the skin is composed of epithelial tissue and is
known as theepidermis. It contains squamous cells or keratinocytes,
which synthesize a tough protein called keratin. Keratin is a major
component of skin, hair, and nails. Keratinocytes on the surface of the
epidermis are dead and are continually shed and replaced by cells from
beneath. This layer also contains specialized cells calledLangerhans
cells that signal the immune system of an infection by presenting antigenic
information to lymphocytes in lymph nodes. This aids in the development
of antigen immunity.
• The innermost layer of the epidermis contains keratinocytes called basal
cells. These cells constantly divide to produce new cells that are pushed
upward to the layers above. Basal cells become new keratinocytes, which
replace the older ones that die and are shed. Within the basal layer are
melanin producing cells known asmelanocytes. Melanin is a pigment that
helps to protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet solar radiation by giving it
a brown hue. Also found in the basal layer of the skin are touch receptor
cells called Merkel cells. The epidermis is composed of five sublayers.
 Epidermal Sublayers
• stratum corneum - top layer of dead, extremely flat
cells. Cell nuclei are not visible.
• stratum lucidum - thin, flattened layer of dead cells.
Not visible in thin skin.
• stratum granulosum - rectangular-shaped cells that
become increasingly flattened as they move to the
surface of the epidermis.
• stratum spinosum - polyhedral-shaped cells that
flatten as they get closer to the stratum granulosum.
• stratum basale - innermost layer of elongated
columnar (column-shaped) cells. Consists of basal cells
that produce new skin cells.
 Thick and Thin Skin
• The epidermis is characterized into two
distinct types: thick skin and thin skin. Thick
skin is about 1.5 mm thick and is found only
on the palms of the hands and soles of the
feet. The rest of the body is covered by thin
skin, the thinnest of which covers the eyelids.
Dermis Skin Layer
The layer beneath the epidermis is the dermis. This is
the thickest layer of skin composing almost 90 percent
of its thickness. Fibroblasts are the main cell type found
in the dermis. These cells generate connective tissue as
well as the extracellular matrix that exists between the
epidemis and dermis. The dermis also contains
specialized cells that help regulate temperature, fight
infection, store water, and supply blood and nutrients
to the skin. Other specialized cells of the dermis help in
the detection of sensations and give strength and
flexibility to the skin.
 Components of the Dermis include:
• Blood vessels - transport oxygen and nutrients to the skin and remove waste
products. These vessels also transport vitamin D from the skin to the body.
• Lymph vessels - supply lymph (milky fluid containing white blood cells of
the immune system) to skin tissue to fight microbes.
• Sweat glands - regulate body temperature by transporting water to the skin's
surface where it can evaporate to cool down the skin.
• Sebaceous (oil) glands - secret oil that helps to waterproof the skin and protect
against microbe build-up. They are attached to hair follicles.
• Hair follicles - tube-shaped cavities that enclose the hair root and provide
nourishment to the hair.
• Sensory receptors - nerve endings that transmit sensations such as touch, pain,
and heat intensity to the brain.
• Collagen - generated from dermal fibroblasts, this tough structural protein
holds muscles and organs in place and gives strength and form to body tissues.
• Elastin - generated from dermal fibroblasts, this rubbery protein provides elasticity
and helps to make the skin stretchable. It is also found in
ligaments,organs, muscles and artery walls.
Hypodermis Skin Layers
• The innermost layer of the skin is the hypodermis or subcutis.
Composed of fatand loose connective tissue, this layer of the skin
insulates the body and cushions and protects internal organs
and bones from injury. The hypodermis also connects skin to
underlying tissues through collagen, elastin, and reticular fibers that
extend from the dermis.
• A major component of the hypodermis is a type of specialized
connective tissue called adipose tissue that stores excess energy as
fat. Adipose tissue consists primarily of cells called adipocytes that
are capable of storing fat droplets.Adipocytes swell when fat is
being stored and shrink when fat is being used. The storage of fat
helps to insulate the body and the burning of fat helps to generate
heat. Areas of the body in which the hypodermis is most thick
include the buttocks, palms, and soles of the feet.
•
Other components of the hypodermis include blood vessels, lymph
vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and white blood cells known as mast
cells. Mast cells help to protect the body against pathogens, heal
wounds, and aid in blood vessel formation.
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